Dogs

We can advise you on what, how much and when best to feed dogs to keep them fit and healthy. We have a range of nutritious specially formulated food in clinic and are happy to always give you free advice on this. Being overweight can increase the risk of other health conditions developing such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and breathing problems, and diet is an important factor in keeping teeth and gums healthy. Animals fed on mainly soft, moist, processed food are most at risk from dental problems.

What causes dogs to gain weight? Weight gain is usually the result of an increase in body fat. Eating too much usually doesn’t help, especially when combined with lack of exercise. But there can be other contributing factors:

> age: older pets are usually less active so require fewer calories
> breed: some breeds are more prone to weight gain.
> medical problems: occasionally weight gain is associated with a medical disorder that may require specific treatment.

How can I tell if my dog is overweight?

> the ribs cannot be easily felt when running your hands along the side of the body
> you need to loosen the collar!
> difficulty in walking and exercising
> slow movements
> shortness of breath
> loss of an obvious waist

How can I help my dog to lose weight? Weight problems are very common and these can be successfully managed through changes in diet and lifestyle. Combining a change in diet with increased exercise is the most effective way of achieving a healthy weight. All dogs need exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Some breeds are high energy and need to run off the lead. Lack of exercise can also cause behavioural issues as well as weight gain. Enjoy regular walks with your dog – walking at a constant pace will help, and taking your dog for walks on different surfaces, such as sand also helps (this will provide extra resistant which will be more effort). Encourage play in the home and garden and encourage your dog to follow you around the house. Swimming (in safe water) is generally a great exercise for dogs.

Vaccination keeps your pet safe from common diseases. After their initial vaccination course, you only need an annual booster for continued protection. Keeping up to date with vaccinations is very important as immunity is reduced once the date for the repeat vaccination is passed. Petcare Brackenbury will tailor a programme specific for your dog.Ask us about our Pet Health Club to save money and spread the cost.

Dog vaccinations protect against these diseases:

Leptospirosis

Canine Parvovirus

Canine Distemper Virus

Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

Canine Para Influenza Virus

Kennel cough can be a serious illness. The vaccine for kennel cough provides twelve months cover and this should be done at least 72 hours before going into kennels or when mixing with lots of other dogs (i.e. in training classes or at shows) to be effective.

Allergies can cause sneezing, itching and scratching. They are not always just seasonal and are one of the top reasons for visits to vets.

Sometimes allergy conditions can be related to poor diets and flea infestation. Environmental allergens such as pollen, mould, and house dust mites are also frequent causes. Your dog can be also sensitive to one or more ingredients in their food. We have specific canine tests to screen for allergies with a simple blood test.

Regular grooming provides an opportunity to look closely at your pet, to check the condition of their skin and fur, their nails, ears and teeth. It is also essential for many breeds.

The time required and the cost of professional grooming is an important consideration when deciding on the breed of dog you choose as a pet. Neglecting simple grooming procedures for some longhaired breeds can cause distress and discomfort. Grooming also gives you an opportunity to check for parasites such as worms and fleas.

Fleas can undermine the health of your dog, as well as infesting your home.

Flea-related diseases account for some of the skin problems that are seen in the surgery. Fleas favour warm and humid conditions, so warm weather brings an increase in numbers. However, fleas can be a year round problem for dogs living in centrally heated houses. You may notice your pet scratching more than usual and may see a flea, or small specks of black flea droppings if you part the hair. As well as treating your dog, you will need to treat their bedding, your upholstery, and carpets – wherever your pet goes.

Treatment products are available from us here at the surgery. Vacuuming and washing of bedding will help. Fleas can also pass tapeworm larvae to your pet, so regular worming is also important in safeguarding your pet’s health. We are able to advise you on the best flea control treatments for you and your dog.

We often recommend a flea and mite control product for dogs that also helps control lungworm infection. Lungworm is a parasite that is spreading in the UK and is not prevented or treated by the usual worming treatments. Left untreated it can prove dangerous to the health of your dog or even fatal. This product is available from the surgery.

Worms are internal parasites that infect dogs throughout their lives. A prescription wormer is recommended by the BSAVA every three months. Roundworm can affect your dog’s general health. These worms may grow to be several inches long and live in your dog’s stomach and intestines.

Roundworm can be passed from animal to animal and are long, thin, wiry and pale coloured. Humans can be infested if the eggs are accidentally swallowed by putting dirty hands into the mouth after playing or grooming, or by letting dogs lick the face and mouth. In children, roundworm can cause serious health problems such as blindness.

The signs of dental disease can be subtle so that pet owners may fail to notice their dog’s discomfort, often until they stop being able to eat. Bad breath is not normal in pets, and the number one reason is dental disease. Pets don’t tend to get cavities like humans, they suffer mainly from periodontal disease, plaque and calculus. This calculus invades the gums opening them up to bacterial infection.

Regular checks at Petcare Brackenbury Surgery are helpful to monitor this as the bacteria associated with dental disease can also cause other serious health problems.

Brackenbury Vets sell nutritious and specially formulated dog food to help you to care for your dog’s teeth as well as our recommended types of dental chews. Dogs can also be given raw bones under supervision. Never feed cooked bones as they can splinter and cause intestinal obstruction.

We can also teach you how to brush your dog’s teeth! Signs of dental disease in your pet can include

Dogs with large drooping ears can be more susceptible to ear problems. Symptoms of ear problems are shaking the head, and scratching at the ears. There can be an odour and a discharge from the ear, or redness of the ear flap or entrance to the ear canal.

It is best not to try and clean your pet’s ears other than around the entrance to the ear, as cleaning further inside the ear may cause damage and pain, the ear canal lining tissue is very delicate. If a foreign body has made its way into the ear canal do not try to get it out yourself, contact us as anaesthesia may be needed to remove the object.

Infections can be due to ear mites, bacteria or yeast. Some bacterial infections can perforate the eardrum so seek help straight away.

Regular walking on a hard surface like pavement will help keep your dog’s nails short. Trimming black nails with dog nail trimmers can be tricky as the ‘quick’ (nerve and blood vessel) cannot be seen. If this is accidentally cut, the nail will bleed and be very sore. Check for long dew claws if your dog still has them. Call Brackenbury Vets to make an appointment to have your dog’s nails trimmed.

Anal glands can sometimes become blocked. Your dog may start to drag their bottom along the ground in an effort to clear them. A trip to Brackenbury Vets surgery will be required so we can empty these glands for your pet.

Neutering prevents unwanted puppies and can also reduce aggressive behavior. Some entire males try to dominate at home and can become difficult to discipline. Neutering can also halt unwanted behaviour and the urge to roam. Male dogs can be neutered at any age after 6 months, depending on the breed of the dog. If your dog starts to display any unwanted behaviour related to testosterone production such as aggression, or sexual behaviour, please let us know. Call Brackenbury Vets to make an appointment so we can advise you on neutering.

Spaying prevents unwanted puppies. Female dogs can be spayed at any time in life after six months of age. There are two different times you can spay your bitch when she is young. Pre-season spay – we can advise you on the best time but it is generally between the ages of six to nine months, depending on the breed of your dog. Your bitch will then never come into season. Post-season spay – this is done two months after the first season has finished. Call Brackenbury Vets to make an appointment so we can advise you on spaying.

As dogs get older their needs change. Beginning at seven years of age, dogs enter their more senior years. At this age it is not uncommon for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney and thyroid problems to develop and early detection is vital to safeguard your pet’s health. Call Brackenbury Vets to ask about our senior pet health check service.

Summer – Make sure fresh drinking water is always available. Of course don’t leave your dog in the car or locked in conservatories on warm or hot days. Dogs can succumb to heatstroke so if he or she seems overheated, come straight in.

Winter – Small, thin and fine coated breed dogs may need dog coats as they find it much harder to conserve body heat. Be aware of hazards such as frozen ponds and lakes! Take extra care and effort to ensure dogs kept outside are warm, have appropriate shelter and access to fresh water.

Once you are ready to travel with your dog, whether in the UK or abroad, we will be pleased to assist you with advice and anything needed to ensure a safe and happy journey. Brackenbury Vets has a number of preparations that can calm your pet during travel and can order safe and effective travel carriers. We also issue Pet Passports for any country.

We need to make sure your pet is properly identified with a microchip. Before undertaking any trip abroad, please call us at Petcare Brackenbury to check that all the required vaccinations are up-to-date and your pet is healthy to travel. You will also need to get a pet passport from us. Call Brackenbury Vets to make an appointment for a pet passport or microchipping.

Plan your trip carefully if taking your pet. Holidays are a wonderful time and it’s great to be taking your dog with you. Take some familiar things to make your pet feel at home, like their blanket, food dish and toys.

Brackenbury Pets have a Travel Pack for dogs comprising:

A well-designed, non-spill, unbreakable bowl

Treats

A cover for tinned food

A floating ball for the seaside or lakeside

A waterproof bag.

In addition we can include tick, flea and worming treatment and a sandfly collar for overseas trips, do not leave home without them!

Be careful around the home. Keep potentially dangerous objects like pins, needles and string away from curious pets. Make sure that poisonous products and materials are out of your dog’s reach, as you would with a child. Many poisonous materials are used around the home every day – weed killers, slug pellets, rat poison, lawn sprays, fertilisers, paints, household cleaners. Dark chocolate can be poisonous to dogs. Call Brackenbury Vets immediately if your dog needs medical attention.

To help prevent your dog from being involved in a traffic accident, always keep your pet on a lead near roads. Check boundary fences for escape routes and make people aware of not leaving gates and doors open.